LGBT Equality in Knoxville

Mayor

The City of Knoxville is committed to the equal rights and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents, workers and visitors. We aim to create a safe, accountable, inclusive and welcoming community so all Knoxville residents feel represented, respected and appreciated.

MAYOR'S LGBT LIAISON

The Mayor’s LGBT Liaison works closely with LGBT groups and individuals to hear concerns and to share information through outreach and public education. The Liaison advises the Mayor on LGBT policy and other issues on the local, state and national levels. If you have suggestions or concerns about LGBT issues in Knoxville, please contact the Mayor’s LGBT Liaison.

Chip Barry
LGBT Liaison to the Mayor
Operations Project Manager
City County Building
400 Main St. - Rm. 681
Knoxville, TN 37902cbarry@knoxvilletn.gov
865-215-3146

KNOXVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT LGBT LIAISON

The purpose of the Knoxville Police Department’s LGBT Liaison is to strengthen the relationship between the LGBT community and the Police Department. By establishing an ongoing dialogue, the Liaison hears directly from community members about concerns, works collaboratively with the community to identify solutions, and educates about recommended safety measures and available resources. The LGBT Liaison also serves as an internal resource for KPD on issues of inclusiveness.

• In June 2017, Mayor Rogero turned the lights on the Henley Bridge to rainbow colors for Knoxville PrideFest and to mark the one-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. View blog post/photo [PDF]

Mayor Rogero with Sophy Jesty and Valeria Tanco - one of the couples in the lawsuit that led to the Supreme Court ruling of same-sex marriage.

• Mayor Rogero was officially added to the list of Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination website in February 2017. View website

• The Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus presented the KGMC Crescendo Award for Community Support to Mayor Rogero in August 2016. View KGMC website

• Mayor Rogero sent a letter to President Obama urging his support for the creation of a Stonewall National Monument in NYC to commemorate the birth of the gay rights movement in America. The monument was later established in June of 2016. View monument

• In June 2016, Mayor Rogero turned the lights on the Henley Bridge to rainbow colors for Knoxville PrideFest and to show solidarity with the Orlando massacre victims.

• In June 2015, Mayor Rogero turned the lights on the Henley Bridge to rainbow colors in honor of Knoxville PrideFest and to celebrate the historic ruling on marriage equality by the U.S. Supreme Court. View blog post/photo [PDF]

• Mayor Madeline Rogero was the only Mayor in Tennessee to sign the 2015 amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of same-sex marriage. She also joined the national group Mayors for Freedom to Marry. One of the couples in the lawsuit that led to the Supreme Court ruling was from Knoxville. Mayor Rogero met with the couple -- Valeria Tanco and Sophy Jesty -- and provided public support for their legal effort. View amicus brief [PDF]

• As of 2014, the City of Knoxville offers equal health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits for LGBT and other municipal employees who are registered in domestic partnerships. View press release

• In 2012 Mayor Rogero was the first Knoxville Mayor to march in the Knoxville PrideFest Parade and speak at PrideFest. She has been an active PrideFest supporter every year as Mayor, along with many members of City Council. View release/photo [PDF]

• In 2012, her first year in office, Mayor Rogero proposed, and City Council unanimously adopted, a non-discrimination ordinance that protects City of Knoxville employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and ethnicity. View ordinance [PDF]

In 2012, Mayor Rogero was the first Mayor of Knoxville to participate in Knoxville PrideFest. L to R: Councilman Nick Pavlis, Deputy to the Mayor and Chief Policy Officer William Lyons, Mayor Madeline Rogero, former Deputy to the Mayor and Chief Operations Officer Eddie Mannis and Councilman Finbarr Saunders.